Sheep s-foot roller



P 1944. R. G. LE TOURNEAU 2,358,863

SHEEPS FOOT ROLLER Filed May 1, 1942 1M ENTOR .7 .7 A R.G.LT0urneau f6 Q1 4:41; W1)

15 A TTORNEY- Patented Sept. 26, 1944 SHEEP'S-FOOT ROLLER Robert LeTourneau, Peoria, Ill., assignor to R. G. Le Tourneau, Inc., Stockton,Calif., a corporation Application May 1, 1942, Serial No. 441,292

- end to end of chamber 4, but the passages 8 per- 2 Claims.

This invention relates generally to earth compacting rollers, andparticularly represents improvements in that type of implement known asa sheeps foot roller.

An object of the present invention is to provide novel means of addingpermanent weight to the roller, and which means is effective to preventend-to-end surging of water in the roller when water is used also as aweight-increasing medium.

A further object of the invention is to produce a simple and inexpensivedevice, and yet one which will be exceedingly effective for the pur--pose for which it is designed.

These objects I accomplish by means of such structure and relativearrangement of parts as will fully appear by a perusal of the followingspecification and claims.

In the drawing similar characters of reference indicate correspondingparts in the several views:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional elevation of the improved sheepsfoot roller.

Figure 2 is a transverse sectional elevation of such implement.

Referring now more particularly to the characters of reference on thedrawing, the roller comprises a roller drum I closed at its ends byheads 2 which are connected by an axial and tubular member 3 throughwhich the usual roller mounting shaft (not shown) projects, and thusforming a watertight chamber 4 in the drum between the end heads.

A square billet or one-piece block 5 of metal of substantial thicknessis fitted into the roller drum l centrally between its ends andextending at right angles to the axis thereof, such block beingsubstantially squared off at its corners and welded to the interior ofthe roller drum I, as at 6. The block 5 includes a central opening Ithrough which the member 3 extends in clearance relation. By employing asquare block, as above, passages 8 are formed between the sides of saidblock and the adjacent portion of the drum.

The block 5 is embodied in the structure for I the purpose of increasingthe weight of the roller to an extent greater than can be accomplishedby the use of water or sand solely as the filler, and further-when wateris used in the roller drum as a weight-increasing medium. in addition tothe block 5, the block I not only serves as a home to prevent surging ofthe water from mit the water to seek a common level in the roller duringuse of the implement. Another advantage of the block 5 is that itreinforces the entire structure and prevents caving of the roller drumintermediate its ends.

The roller, as usual in implements of this type, includes a multiplicityof radially projecting teeth 9 arranged on the roller drum in closelydisposed relation. These teeth are of cast steel and of hollowconstruction; the inner-ends of said teeth being symmetrical to theouter surface of the roller drum l and being welded thereto about theirentire base end.

The teeth 9 taper from their inner to outer end both circumferentiallyand transversely of the roller. The sides I ll of the teeth arestraight, while the leading face II and the trailing face l2 are of agenerally involute curve or contour. The outer ends 13 of the teeth areof course blunt or square. The feet have the same general configurationas spur gear teeth, such as are employed to mesh with a rack.

From the foregoing description it will be readily seen that I haveproduce such a device as substantially fulfills the objects of theinvention as set forth herein.

While this specification sets forth in detail the present and preferredconstruction of the device, still in practice such deviations from suchdetail may be resorted to as do not form a departure from the spirit ofthe invention, as defined by the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and useful anddesire to secure by Letters Patent is: v

1. An earth roller comprising a roller drum, a heavy-weight blockdisposed in the drum intermediate its ends and at right angles to itsaxis, said block engaging the drum only at circumferentially spacedpoints whereby to form intermediate passages extending longitudinallybetween the interior of the drum on opposite sides of the block, andmeans securing the block to the drum at said points whereby to increasethe weight of the roller and strengthen said drum.

2. A roller as in claim 1 in which said block is substantially square,being secured at the corners to the drum whereby the block is clear ofthe drum intermediate of said corners.

ROBERT G. LE TOURNEAU.

